The young
English designer James Heeley while working and living in France was captivated
by scents and decided to create his own line made in accordance with the art of
traditional French perfumery.
“Fragrance
takes you to another place,” says the
one-time philosophy student. He doesn’t label his scents masculine or
feminine they are there to be worn and enjoyed by whoever likes them. “When it
comes to scent, there are no rules.”
Inspired
by life, everyday occurrences, memories or dreams or simply the ingredients
themselves, James has devised a contemporary collection which stands out from
the crowd.
Wearing
fragrance always evokes a reaction whether it reminds you of a place, a person,
or an occasion or even a mixture of all. And those I smelt certainly fed my
senses.
One of my
favourites was Menthe Fraîche. Yes, it is reminiscent of mint growing in your
garden but it is far more complex and sophisticated than that. Laced with
Sicilian bergamot, green tea and white cedar, this is a lovely invigorating
fragrance which is easy to wear.
His new
scent Phoenicia may take you through a journey of this ancient land, however I
was rather smitten with Hippy Rose. Not a typical soapy rose scent which so
many of these types are, this is an elegant patchouli rose fragrance with
hints of amber and musk, vetiver and incense with a smattering of
refreshing bergamot.
It might
have been inspired by India and the hippy movement, but to me it reminds
of a walk in a beautiful English rose garden. Like I always say, fragrance
is so personal.
James takes
classic themes and gives them a modern interpretation resulting in distinctive
scents. If you haven’t yet discovered the talents of this man, it is time you
did.
By Daralyn
Danns
Heeley
Parfums Hippy Rose (£125, 100ml EDP Spray) are available from Harvey
Nichols and Selfridges
